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Aditya English Project

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20 views8 pages

Aditya English Project

Uploaded by

adityaanoop3771
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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OBJECTIVE

Roughly put, this research aims at recovering lost aspects related to identity
and self in the literature of On the Face of It by Susan Hill, Memories of
Childhood by Zitkala-Sa Bama, and Journey to the End of the Earth by Tishani
Doshi. The core goal of this project is to interpret those texts scrupulously.

1. Explore the narratives of the people in context of their struggles for their
sense of self and how they navigate through the ethnographic world.

2. Show how people’s self identity is shaped by factors such as exterior


environments, cultural legacy and socially influenced aspects.

3. Look into the overlying concepts of these works regarding acceptance,


different forms of resilience and the importance of self-awareness.

4. Seek to achieve deeper comprehensions of the motion of self belonging,


self realization and the interconnectedness of realities around.

This research is aiming at clarifying processes of identity formation and how


they contribute to both individual and group development.

ACTION PLAN
Step 1: Selection and Reading of Texts
- Read all three texts. Read On the Face of It by Susan Hill, Memories of Childhood
by Zitkala-Sa and Bama, and Journey to the End of the Earth by Tishani Doshi with
meticulous scrutiny and note the key points and characters involved in the identity
and self-discovery scenes.
Step 2: Thematic Analysis*
- Present the central ideas and messages regarding the issue of identity in each
text.
- Examine how external factors such as societal attitudes, culture, and environment
influence the characters' experiences and perceptions of themselves.

Step 3: Comparative Study*


- Compare and contrast the portrayal of identity across the three works.
- Analyze the unique challenges faced by the characters in their journeys of self-
awareness and acceptance.

Step 4: Research and Contextualization*


- Research into the historical, cultural, and social contexts in which the texts were
written in order to deepen one's understanding.
- Secondary sources such as critical essays, interviews, and scholarly articles can
also be included in the analysis.

Step 5: Synthesis of Findings*


- The common threads and distinct aspects of identity portrayed in the texts should
be summarized.
- Explain how all these works contribute to the concept of identity in literature.

Step 6: Report Writing*


Organize the findings into a structured report with the following sections:
1. Introduction
2. Overview of the Texts
3. Thematic Analysis
4. Comparative Insights
5. Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Step 7: Presentation and Review*


Prepare a presentation to present the findings of the project.
Review the work for clarity, coherence, and adherence to the objectives of the
study.

Step 8: Final Submission*


Put together the report, references, and all supporting materials to be submitted.
Ensure all sources are referenced correctly and that the project adheres to the
highest standards of academia.

Material
*Unpacking Identity: A Study of 'On the Face of It,' 'Memories of Childhood,' and
'Journey to the End of the Earth'* Introduction
Identity is what defines people and societies. Personal, cultural, and environmental
factors all shape identity. The three works discuss the challenges and resilience in
defining identity.

1. 'On the Face of It' by Susan Hill


Explores how physical differences impact identity.
- Demonstrates societal bias, self-acceptance and the strength of sympathy that can
conquer inferiority complex.

*2. Memories of Childhood by Zitkala-Sa and Bama* -

-Thematizes cultural and social exclusion.


In Zitkala-Sa work there is the loss of the Native identity; in Bama's, the theme is
the oppression based on caste.
Both demonstrate the strength and education can be a power for change.
*3. Journey to the End of the Earth by Tishani Doshi
Focuses on the common identity of the human race in the context of nature.
Involves all people in responsibilities to the Earth's environment as well as their
fragile ecosystems.

ESSAY
*Unpacking Identity: A Study of 'On the Face of It,' 'Memories of
Childhood,' and 'Journey to the End of the Earth'* .

Identity refers to the multiplicity of dimensions that shape who we are in


our individual as well as collective lives. Various factors such as physical
appearance, cultural heritage, expectations from society, and personal
experiences influence identity. The three literary works, such as On the
Face of It by Susan Hill, Memories of Childhood by Zitkala-Sa and Bama,
and Journey to the End of the Earth by Tishani Doshi, allow the readers a
very profound reflection about identity. Their texts represent how such
works tell about struggles, resilience, and self-discovery for the person
involved with aspects of identity. On the Face of It' by Susan Hill

The story On the Face of It by Susan Hill revolves around two unlikely
friends- Mr. Lamb, an aged crippled man and Derry, a young lad with
severe disfigurement on the face.

The two characters, both are isolated by society on account of their


appearance and both are affected tremendously in terms of self-esteem
and identity. While Mr. Lamb values life, embracing his deformity and
coaxing Derry to do the same, Derry remains inadequate and rebuffed.
The play thus explains how the conventions of society about physical
deformities decide the identity of a person and emphasizes self-
acceptance and resilience against the above challenge. Memories of
Childhood is a composite work consisting of two autobiographical
accounts—Zitkala-Sa's The Cutting of My Long Hair and Bama's We Too Are
Human Beings.

Both the narratives are about cultural and social identity that impacts the
lives of marginalized people.
Zitkala-Sa's account is of that of a Native American girl forced to adjust to
the cultural norms of a white-dominated world, which is allegorized by the
brutal chopping off of her hair. Similarly, Bama narrates her own
experiences of casteist oppression as a Dalit child growing up in India,
who gradually wakes up to the all-pervading systematic oppression that
haunts her community. These narratives underscore the struggles of
individuals in asserting their identities amidst cultural erasure and social
hierarchies, while also highlighting their resilience and determination to
challenge societal norms. Tishani Doshi’s Journey to the End of the Earth
takes the reader on an expedition to Antarctica, a place far removed from
human civilization. It begins as a travelogue but very subtly takes into the
theme of identity by studying the relationship between humans and
nature.

The stark and pristine environment of Antarctica makes one remember


how fragile the earth's ecosystem is and how humankind will take it
forward.
Such reflections on the planet's interconnected life make readers redefine
their individual as well as collective identities as denizens of a single
planet. Above all, this text calls upon readers to come to terms with their
place within the larger matrix of nature, taking responsibility to preserve
it for future generations. If the three pieces of work look at the vastly
different settings, stories, the theme of identity keeps popping up: On the
Face of It deals with people who are abnormal on the physical level,
through inner and outer conflict; Memories of Childhood considers the
impact that cultural and social marginalization creates; and Journey to the
End of the Earth reflects on mankind's identity and its relationship to the
natural world. Together, they remind us of self-awareness, acceptance,
and resilience in handling the challenges that come with identity.

These texts also point to the role that societal perceptions play in shaping
individual identities. Be it the stigma attached to the physical appearance,
the systemic discrimination based on culture or caste, or the collective
responsibility towards the environment, identity emerges as a dynamic
and evolving concept influenced by external factors.
Student’s Refection
Stories such as On the Face of It, Memories of Childhood, and
Journey to the End of the Earth have been enriching discoveries
into the densely layered nature of identity. Each text took a
different approach to how personal, cultural, and environmental
factors shape one individual or mankind's sense of self. Through
On the Face of It, we reflected upon how appearance influences
self-perception and social acceptance. The optimism of Mr. Lamb
and the self-esteem issues of Derry taught us resilience,
acceptance, and empathy in overcoming prejudices. Narratives of
Memories of Childhood mutually endowed depth to our
understanding of cultural and social oppression. The loss of
cultural identity of Zitkala-Sa and the caste-based discrimination
faced by Bama have brought into light the structural inequalities
that continue to thrive in society. These stories incite our
appreciation of diversity, respect for cultural heritage, and
facilitation of equality. In Journey to the End of the Earth, we were
reminded that Humanity and Nature work together. The majesty
of Antarctica and its fragility caused us to ask ourselves the moral
question of responsibility toward environmental sustainability as a
global community. It broadened our site from personal identity
into common responsibility as citizens of the world. This endeavor
has given space for self-reflection about our own identities and
the factors controlling these. It has taught us to place substantial
value on empathy, respect, and social and environmental
responsibility.

CONCLUSION
In the novels On the Face of It, Memories of
Childhood, and *Journey to the End of the Earth, *
identity becomes an exciting quest in terms of
lessons that help people learn and understand
human nature. Indeed, identity is something that
cannot remain static because experiences,
relationships, and the surrounding world have
roles to play. These texts enable us to look at
ourselves more clearly and appreciate where we fit
into the larger world by embracing our uniqueness
and our connection to each other in the world.

The texts emphasize that identity is dynamic in


nature, influenced by personal struggles, societal
perceptions, and global responsibilities. They
speak for resilience, empathy, and environmental
consciousness, calling readers to action to
embrace diversity and redefine roles in the world.
Bibliography
1. Lamb, Susan Hill. On the Face of It. In Vistas
(NCERT)

2. Zitkala-Sa. Memories of Childhood. In


Vistas(NCERT).

3. Tishani Doshi. Journey to the End of the


Earth. In Vistas. (NCERT)

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